Nature conservation centrem, Karlsruhe-Rappenwört

Walter Merz’s nature conservation centre (formerly the municipal ornithological station) and the Rheinstrandbad constitute the central element of Schneider’s green space plans for the ‘Rheinpark Rappenwört’. It was here that Schneider began the tradition of a practical approach to teaching natural history in Karlruhe’s schools. After all, the ornithological station had previously played a key role in combating mosquitoes. The various uses of the interior spaces resulted in the group of four one- to three-storey buildings: the director’s residence, the teaching facility, the birdhouse and the caretaker’s residence. Despite the changes in function, the building itself has remained virtually unchanged to this day. It was last reopened as a nature conservation centre in April 1997.